LAND COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1407, 18 March 1905, Page 2

LAND COMMISSION.

OPPONENTS OF THE FREEHOLD

(Per Press Association.)

m, T , _ Dunedin, last night. Ihe Dana Commission visited Ranfurly io-day and struck a patch of supporters of ihe ieashold and land nationalises John Forrester, the first witness, said settlors had no grievances. He got the freehold he held under deferred payment, ana if a change waa to be made in tenure he favored deferred payment. He opposed re-valuation. Patrick Bleach, who has 320 aores of trecnold and 530 lease in perpetuity, was satisfied with the latter, but every year he got a notice from the Land Board to show cause why ho did not reside on the land. He would like Government to own all the land. Thore should be no freehold. John Law, junr., owner of 1700 acres freehold, said what was wanted was mo-e a d , a>Wßys been unsuccessful at the ballot. He favored State ownership of the soil. His freehold had increased m value apart from his own exertions, as cue railway bad coma along. • Mr Paul : Do you tbink unearned increments should belong to the Slate ? Witness : No, not mine. Ho believed in It in principle, however. The 999 years lease should be revalued when hard times came aloDg. and men wanted a lower rent. He thought all freeholds Bhould be mortgageable only to the Crown, so that in the event of a man getting into difficulties the laud would revert to the CrowD. Patrick McCusky considered the lease in perpetuity exoelled all freeholds, and was opposed to giving the optioD. If freehold was permitted there was no power that would prevent oggregatioc. William Dowling, who bold 1200 aores on lease in perpetuity, WQS satisfied with tho lease. All witnesses thought runs might be eufc up into small grazing runs with advantage. The Commission in th 9 afternoon returned to Naseby, where evidence of a

general nature was given. All complained that not enough land was being opened op to meet the demand.